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Community members and groups across the country have been awarded LGBTQI community grants as part of the inaugural grants program; ANZ & Sydney Mardi Gras community grants.

18 grants have been distributed across Australia, from the Cairns AIDs Council at the top of the country, right down to Adelaide, where a queer formal is being coordinated by Minus18.

Additionally, an LGBTQI refugee support group and a historian aiming to preserve LGBTQI history are amongst the recipients of the grants which are valued up to $10,000 with the aim support the work of LGBTQI not-for-profit community organisations, charities and individuals.

One of the recipients of the inaugural grants program is Heather Grace Jones, who is Project Officer of STARTTS, a NSW-based specialist non-profit organisation that provides culturally appropriate and cutting edge psychological treatment and support to refugees.Heather has been spearheading the organisation’s new Rainbow Refugees project and is thrilled to be able to further their work thanks to the grant: “Many of the LGBTQI refugee community have fled countries where sexual and gender diversity is punishable by death and upon arriving in Australia, require support to rebuild their lives and own their identity. This grant is extremely important as it means we will be able to create a safe space in Sydney’s western suburbs for all LGBTQI refugees to feel welcome and connected.”

The partnership between ANZ and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has spanned over 12 years, the grants program is an extension of the partnership beyond official festivities and ensures ongoing support of LGBTQI communities and projects.

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras CEO, Terse Casu, said: “After receiving over one hundred submissions, we are reminded of the incredible and important work being done within the LGBTQI community. We are so pleased to be able to make a difference in the lives of many of our community members across the country and announce the winners of the much deserved grants thanks to the ongoing support of ANZ.”

Chief Financial Officer and Executive Sponsor of the ANZ Pride Network Michelle Jablko said: “As a supporter of diversity, inclusion and respect, ANZ is proud to provide financial support to 18 community groups and individuals across the country.

“From sporting clubs and choirs to mental health support services, there are so many ways people are working to better the lives of the LGBTQI community members. We look forward to seeing how these grants make a real difference to Australians far and wide,” she said.

The ANZ & Sydney Mardi Gras Community Grants program was developed to provide financial funding for a wide range of purposes including education and training, community development and creation, arts and culture – anything under the rainbow.

Today, ANZ and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras announced applications are now open for their national LGBTQI community grants program; ANZ & Sydney Mardi Gras Community Grants.

Launching on the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT), the program will provide grants of up to $10,000 to LGBTQI not-for-profit community organisations, charities and individuals to help support local LGBTQI communities.

The ANZ & Sydney Mardi Gras Community Grants program will provide financial funding for a wide range of purposes including education and training, community development and creation, arts and culture – anything under the rainbow

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras CEO, Terese Casu, said: “This national grants program is important because there’s real grass roots work that needs to be done in Australia for LGBTQI communities, especially in regional Australia where isolation is an issue – and we know these grants will provide much needed support for the important work being done.”

“Philanthropic and grants funding to LGBTQI specific projects is limited in Australia. There are some fantastic state-based organisations that provide funding, but this grants program has been designed to be national and very diverse.” said Ms Caus.

While collaboration between ANZ and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has spanned over 12 years, the new grants program extends the partnership past official festivities to ensure ongoing support of LGBTQI communities and projects.

ANZ Chair of the Pride Network, Melissa Tandy said: “As a champion of diversity, inclusion and respect, ANZ is proud to launch this new grants program and help LGBTQI communities and individuals thrive.

“We’re excited to be able to support a wide array of causes and initiatives working to better the lives of the LGBTQI community and hope these grants will make a real difference to Australian’s far and wide,” she said.

Applications for ANZ & Sydney Mardi Gras Community Grants are open from today, 17 May until 1 July with successful applicants announced on 16 July.

Ron Muncaster passed away at a hospice in Darlinghurst on Tuesday. He was 81.

The Master of Sequins as he was known to many played a pivotal role in the costuming direction of the parade over decades and brought much attention to the event via the mainstream media making the event the shimmering celebration of protest and celebration it is today.

In 2014 Ron Muncaster was given the Mardi Gras Lifetime Achievement Award, and starting this year our annual Parade Costume Award is named 'the Ron Muncaster Award for Best Costume' in his honour.

Mardi Gras has announced it now plans to honour Ron at the 40th Anniversary Parade on Saturday 3 March 2018.

The annual Mardi Gras season in Sydney may be over, but the hard work and dedication of the thousands of volunteers and participants were acknowledged yesterday at a stunning ceremony at the Star City Sky Terrace.

Fair Day, Parade and Volunteers were acknowledged across the board with so many people coming together to create what has been an incredibly successful season. However, some stood out and were given awards for their outstanding contribution to the events.

Award for Excellence in Innovation: This award goes to the person whose innovative thinking solved problems and provided new ways of working that contributed to the overall success of an event. This year’s Award for Excellence in Innovation goes to Alan O’Riordan and Rick Stone.

Award for Excellence in Leadership. This award goes to the person whose behavior, attitude and performance demonstrated the qualities of teamwork, initiative and professionalism. This year’s Award for Excellence in Leadership goes to Kim Williams.

Award for Excellence in Service: This award goes to the person whose work throughout the season was diligent, reliable and selfless – someone that has gone above and beyond. This year’s Award for Excellence in Service goes to Adrian Hinder.

Award for Excellence in Teamwork: This award goes to the person who displayed a high level of cooperation, collaboration and team spirit in order to achieve excellent outcomes for everyone. This year’s Award for Excellence in Teamwork goes to Louis Hudson.

Volunteer of the Year: This award is given to the most outstanding volunteer of the season. He’s been volunteering for 17 years, and has been the registrations manager for the last 10 years. The recipient of this award has shown leadership, teamwork and innovation, embodying every one of the organisation’s values. In the nominations he was described as an all-in-caps ‘SUPERSTAR’! 2017’s Mardi Gras Volunteer of the Year is Daniel Lester.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDThe Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Lifetime Achievement Award recognises an individual or individuals who have provided outstanding service over many years to SGLMG and the community. They may have served on a Board, volunteered or worked for or have been engaged by Mardi Gras and provided consistent service and made a significant contribution over many years. They are always ready and willing to support the organisation and have demonstrated our values, leadership and have been a role model and fine example to others.

This year we honour one recipient who is worthy of this recognition and Award. Her stunning photography across every Mardi Gras season for 15 years has truly captured the diversity, fabulousity, pride and passion of our festival. The scale of what she achieves in documenting our communities – our highs and lows, triumphs and disasters – is immense. A simple Google search of her name + Mardi Gras provides links to 13,200 search results!

So Mardi Gras has come and gone… after 16 times marching in the parade, I made the decision, after well-made plans backfired on me (and being the lazy old Queen I am) to finally front up to the parade and party as… you guessed it – a boy!

I decided for the third time in 25 years of being a drag queen that enough was enough. Was I scared? You bet. But boy was I mistaken. I have mixed feelings about Mardi Gras as I didn't see much of the parade because I avoided the rain lol .. Then off to the party I went. The Veronica's were pretty good but the rest of the entertainment was a little average and what happened to the two girls that was supposed to perform ?? I ended up leaving at 4am and was in bed by 6,that's an early night! Maybe it's a case of me just being a little bit old and my legs started to kill me and let's not talk about Lola and Danger's feet so glad i did not walk in the parade. I actually enjoyed myself a little bit more just as a boy. Over 10,000 performers took part in the parade to help celebrate 39 years of Mardi Gras…the best night ever at a MG party... I hope you all had a blast too!

This month I celebrate 25 years of doing drag, meaning I'm “technically” 50 years young! OMG it's my birthday - the big five 0 in March = ''YUCK"… That means i will reduce my responsibilities and push it onto my drag daughters and other high-profile queens in the community.

Oh how time flies! In this time I've seen so many venues come and go, we've lost many in Western Sydney as well as the City. Even knowing what goes into a social night – I couldn’t imagine running a full time venue – but many have tried and I congratulate them. Our increasing patronage at the HEAVEN SOCIAL DANCE in Western Sydney means we made the right decision to move to a new club with the first dance in February being a huge success. I am really looking forward to the second dance on the 1st April at Mounties Bowling Club Fairfield from 6:30pm - 12:30 , Entry $10 , Shows 9:30 & 10:30 With PopUp Drag Upsize Hosted By LayDee KinMee , If you want to take part in our pop-up drag – please register with LayDee, before April So you can be in the run for cash prizes (Valued $200). For more information go to our website (Click on What's On) www.heavensocialdance.com

Newsflash !!V-Bar at the Coolibah Hotel, Merrylands. Brought to by Victoria A Bitch '' CANCELLED '' after its very first dance on 20 January. The announcement was made two days before the second dance in February by co-ordinator Victoria A Bitch as post: (Due to very little interest in v bar a verdict has been made and will be closing its doors in February . It was one of the hardest things to do. But firstly i must find myself again and i am shattered and in tears whilst i write this) ... It's very sad to hear that you've given up after only one dance, but I hope you find yourself ok gorgeous. When we first started Heaven Social Dance for the first year we were only getting 60 people and you need to get performers which will do it for a few dances for nothing and then pay them when you get busier but I totally understand where you're coming from there is a lot of stress involved and a lot of costs going to running an event like this we are so lucky that we have the support of our venue that do not charge us room Hire, we only have the cost of Dj & a small entertainment budget. Maybe someone else might step up and take over running it because I really believe two nights in Western Sydney would work.. but in saying that I Want to wish you all the best in the future with whatever you choose to do that makes you happy :Bx

In other exciting news, free events & entertainment in Western Sydney include:

ALSO starting on the second Friday of every month (THIS WEEK) at Campbelltown RSL 0n the 10MAR & 14APR is Naughty Numbers – “BINGO with twist” from 7pm With LayDee KinMee. This is also FREE to play, and she’ll be giving away various prizes as well as $150 in club vouchers.

SHOWTIME at The Richards On The Park , Canley Vale is still on the third Saturday of every month From 9pm-1am ( 18MAR & 15 APR) with (drag) shows at 10 , 11 & 12 (or DragTime ) it's A Free night also, but I hear numbers have dropped significantly gorgeous, so this could be another night that gets the chop! Oh well, what goes around comes around, KARMA is a bitch.

Well our first dance for the year at a ''NEW CLUB'' Fairfield Mounties Bowling Club on 04 February was a huge success. With over 110 people there on night it was an exceptional turnout. Thank you to LayDee KinMee for hosting, to the performers in PopUp Drag who entertained us = Stacey Aphrodite, Carrie Marr, Annie P (1st), Terra Part (3rd) and Anita Root (2nd), and special performance by Koko D'Vyne. Thank you also to Ophelia Shaft (DJ), Cliff (Door and Lighting), Rob from EGOmedia - Au (Photos and Backdrop) George (Videos) and Ann-Marie (SSO)

Thank you to everyone who came and made it a fantastic night. We look forward to seeing everyone again on 1st April. Thank you all and we love you. Love from Beverly , Greg and Ian .

Again thank you to all the patrons and bar staff. It was great to see so many people. www.heavensocialdance.com

I'm starting to get excited coming up this weekend Saturday 11th February is The Polly's Club Mardi Gras Dance Will Present '' Friends Of Dorothy '' At The Marrickville Town Hall From 7pm-12am Entry $25 the show is produced by Daisy with the Polly's cast, Prize for best dressed PS be there early otherwise you'll be standing up .. www.thepollysclub.com.au

Also in February the NEW V-Bar Social Dance at Coolibah Hotel Merrylands with the night providing something for everybody V-Bar upstairs and Karaoke downstairs. People now have something to do on a Friday night the next dance is 17th February from 7pm-12am $10 Music by Dj Shaft with a Madonna Tribute show with Melicious Dámage , Delilah VonTramp & Victoria A Bitch ... fingers crossed people will supported it on a Friday night because they did not support the LGBTQ event there Friday night might be a winner ?? Remember in 2014 people said two social dances in western Sydney was '' TOO MUCH '' so we reduced heaven to 6… but after last weekend’s huge success for the heaven at new club, maybe people want more ,more, more ??? Only time will only tell gorgeous.

The fabulousity which is Fair Day Sunday 19th February , started as soon as we exited the car and were approached by a young man who offered us a "service" in the laneway in glebe last year .. considering it was the second time in 18 years that I have attended Fair Day as a boy and I still nearly got lucky, he made me feel like a dirty old man so we ran off to Victoria Park to join in the festivities... But this year fair day is on the move to a NEW LOCATION = Camperdown Memorial Rest Park , Newtown.. Fair Day will an eye opener this year as I will be just one of thousands check out the new park! Just one of thousands the people sitting on a blanket in front of the main stage. It's a sign that I really am a nobody, nobody will recognised me or will they after being plastered all over the Liverpool & Fairfield Champion (the local paper) in and out of DRAG !! OMG !!

When Fair Day is over you know the Parade is soon to follow on 04 March . After walking and working the parade for 17 years, this year be any different lol As last year I watched the parade and enjoyed it so much now I'm getting older, it seems the route gets longer... despite offers to be part of a float, this will be the second year in a row that I will be watching the parade from VIP Area and dashing off to the party with my partner in crime. I just had too much fun last year at the Party out of drag. I'd like to see more floats and social groups from the West be involved, it seems everyone splits into other groups at Mardi Gras time when it should be a time that we unite?

It's going to be a huge year for the all NEW Queer Radio Sydney 89.3fm .. Start on Monday 16 January 2017 A Gay Music Program Supporting L.G.B.T.Q Artists / Dj's / and Music + A lot of fun along the way... AS FOLLOWED: The 1st & 3rd Monday of every month will be Beverly Buttercup, Nikki fashion & Jeremy Smith ... The 2st & 4th Monday of the month will be Pandora Box , Fifi Fo'Fum & Kitty Puss... The 5th Monday = 29May, 31Jul, 30Oct 2017 Will be just a music program with a (LGBTQ) Dj in the studio.. ON THE RADIO 89.3FM & ONLINE EVERY MONDAY FROM 10PM -12AM All inquiries & Feedback should be put in writing : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Advertised- Sponsor on QRS 89.3Fm, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.www.893fm.com.au

DRAG GOSSIP

Which Western Sydney drag queen now feels the need to attack me/heaven just to promote something she's doing !! Last time I pay her for anything gorgeous. In other gossip, which former Western Sydney drag superstar has been BANNED from all the Asian fabric shops ? Apparently she was caught putting things in her bag while she was walking around the show Oh no !! And which Western Sydney Drag star might have bitten off more than she can chew by working up to 6 nights a week ? = BREAKDOWN

Year in and year out the Mardi Gras rumour mill goes into full swing with people placing bets on who the special guests will be at the Party after the parade.

The camp production, the killer sounds, sights and celebrities makes a Mardi Gras show one of the most spectacular moments on the calendar each year... and we all love to guess who it may or may not be!

This year, there are heaps of artists headed down under for the summer touring season - so we want to know who you think MAY be at the party this year - joining the incredible Tegan and Sara as performers at the Mardi Gras Party.

Global singing sensation and icon George Michael has died on Christmas Day, aged 53.

Police are describing the death as "unexplained but not suspicious".

They said paramedics attended his home in Goring in Oxfordshire at 1.42pm today - where he was declared dead at the scene.

His publicist announced he has "passed away peacefully at home" at 11pm last night.

The full statement read: "It is with great sadness that we can confirm our beloved son, brother and friend George passed away peacefully at home over the Christmas period.

"The family would ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult and emotional time. There will be no further comment at this stage."

George Michael has sold more than 80 million records worldwide in a career spanning four decades - but his life in recent years has been dogged by controversy, including when he nearly passed away in 2011 from illness.

George made an in the round appearance at Sydney's Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Party in 2010 and resided in Potts Point for a substantial part of recent years.

Here is his show from Mardi Gras thanks to chicagojes as media were barred from filming the performance even though the room was full of camera phones. lol

So Mardi Gras has come and gone… after 16 times marching in the parade, I made the decision, after well-made plans backfired on me (and being the lazy old Queen I am) to finally front up to the parade and party as… you guessed it – a boy!